South Florida Muslim Federation heard conference critics. Here is its response
South Florida Muslim Federation leaders are responding to allegations of antisemitism and ties to terrorist groups by Coral Springs residents and public commenters that made headlines.
Now, state and federal government officials, including Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Hunter Pollack, Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice, are putting the Coral Springs City Commission “on notice” should they allow the conference to proceed.
The Coral Springs Center for the Arts is scheduled to host the group’s annual conference, titled “Embracing Hope,” from Jan. 30-31. In addition to government officials, residents have pushed back, alleging its rhetoric would put the city’s Jewish community in danger.
“It’s just a totally innacurate description,” South Florida Muslim Federation spokesperson Jalal “Jay” Shehadeh told the Coral Springs News on Friday, Jan. 23.
What is the South Florida Muslim Federation?
The South Florida Muslim Federation is a hub for mosques, schools, organizations and businesses that came together to support the region’s estimated 200,000 Muslims.
Its major initiatives include a halal businesses directory as well as mental health and suicide prevention.
The annual conference aims to bring residents together and includes reflection, learning, youth programs, games, a grand bazaar and complimentary child care.
Now in its fourth year, the event is no stranger to protests.
One caused the event to be canceled and led to a 2024 discrimination lawsuit involving the Heron Bay Marriott, Parkland Chamber of Commerce, Senate hopeful Joe Kaufman and several others.
The case remains pending in federal court after the South Florida Muslim Federation won a motion for reconsideration in July 2025.
How does the coalition respond to the critical comments?
One Coral Springs resident said she feared speakers would “spew hate speech against America and Jews.”
“This is a nonsense position,” Shehadeh said. “The mayor of the city of Coral Springs is Jewish. We have Jewish attendees. I am talking with people, pursuing interfaith work all the time.”
During the Wednesday, Jan. 21, City Commission meeting, Mayor Scott Brook and Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen made remarks similar to Shehadeh, the latter saying that she had attended last year’s event and saw nothing of the sort.
Commenters also said that the South Florida Muslim Federation was linked to terrorist groups, such as the Council on Islamic American Relations (CAIR).
“It’s kind of like a Muslim ACLU,” Shehadeh said. “CAIR will connect people with lawyers. They will sometimes take on a defense themselves or just be a listening ear. It’s truly a civil rights organization.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization in December, though his power to do so remains an open question. The designation has meant restricted funding for the organization, as well as increased stigma.
Shehadeh also addressed an allegation that a vendor at last year’s event was selling merchandise of Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader said to have spearheaded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
“I was just walking through — I wasn’t policing. But, I saw [the item] and I was shocked,” Shehaded said. “I told the gentleman he’s not allowed to sell that here.”
“The South Florida Muslim Federation should be judged by the actions of the South Florida Muslim Federation,” he added.
What to know about the conference
The conference will continue as planned Jan. 30-31 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. Its theme is hope.
“Our hope is this community gathering serves as a reminder to all in the South Florida community that despite the difficult times we may be facing, we are called upon to persevere and to embrace hope as an important act of faith,” a statement from SFMF reads.
“We are excited to welcome people of all faiths, including our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters, who share in our hope that through shared community and faith in our Creator, we can build a better, more peaceful world.”
Tickets and schedules are on the conference website.
This story was originally published January 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
